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Council moves closer to final Metlox deal
by Paul Teetor
The City Council took a major step forward in developing the vacant Metlox property Tuesday night, authorizing the city staff to enter final negotiations with the Tolkin Group.
The latest plans call for a subterranean public parking structure, with a maximum of 63,850 square feet of buildings on top, including retail shops, two restaurants, some offices, and a 40-room inn. There will also be 40,000 square feet of public space.
The final contract will come up for a vote before the city council four weeks from now, according to City Manager Geoff Dolan.
Councilmember Linda Wilson cast the only vote in opposition to going forward with the project which has been in the planning stage since 1997, when the city purchased the vacant Metlox property at the intersection of Valley Drive and Manhattan Beach Boulevard in order to control development.
"The financial picture of this project does not look good for the city," Wilson said. "The Environmental Impact Report says it will make downtown traffic worse, and the economic report suggests the impact on existing downtown businesses will be neutral, maybe even a bit negative."
Wilson said she had kept an open mind until all the details of the plan were available.
"I have wanted this project to work, but it just doesn’t make sense to me," she said. "I’ve come to the conclusion we don’t need this in the downtown."
The four other councilmembers, however, were enthusiastic about the proposed details of the final plan.
"I’m very excited to take this next step and authorize the staff to negotiate with the Tolkin Group," Councilmember Joyce Fahey said. "I think we have been responsive to citizen’s concerns, and that it’s a wonderful compromise for everybody."
Councilmember Jim Aldinger agreed.
"I’m also very excited about this project," Aldinger said. "It will be a great addition to our downtown. The public plaza, the good restaurants with outdoor seating, will be a major addition to our city."
Aldinger was particularly enthusiastic about the underground parking structure, which will have 230 parking spaces to go along with the 40 parking spaces on the surface level.
"It’s our last chance to do this, to add significant parking downtown," Aldinger said. "The parking garage will be underground and out of sight. I think it’s going to be great."
Councilmember Steve Napolitano said the final plan is a good compromise.
"At this point I think those who won’t be pleased with this plan are those who want the city to get a lot more money out of the deal, and those who don’t want any development there at all," he said. ER